CHAPTERX
RESULTOFTHESUCCESS
Shehadbeendismissedtowardstheendofthewinter；thesummerpassed，butwintercameagain。Shortdays，lesswork。Winter:nowarmth，nolight，nonoonday，theeveningjoiningontothemorning，fogs，twilight；thewindowisgray；itisimpossibletoseeclearlyatit。Theskyisbutavent—hole。Thewholedayisacavern。Thesunhastheairofabeggar。Afrightfulseason！
Winterchangesthewaterofheavenandtheheartofmanintoastone。
Hercreditorsharrassedher。
Fantineearnedtoolittle。Herdebtshadincreased。TheThenardiers，whowerenotpromptlypaid，wrotetoherconstantlyletterswhosecontentsdrovehertodespair，andwhosecarriageruinedher。
OnedaytheywrotetoherthatherlittleCosettewasentirelynakedinthatcoldweather，thatsheneededawoollenskirt，andthathermothermustsendatleasttenfrancsforthis。
Shereceivedtheletter，andcrusheditinherhandsalldaylong。
Thateveningshewentintoabarber’sshopatthecornerofthestreet，andpulledouthercomb。Heradmirablegoldenhairfelltoherknees。
"Whatsplendidhair！"exclaimedthebarber。
"Howmuchwillyougivemeforit？"saidshe。
"Tenfrancs。"
"Cutitoff。"
ShepurchasedaknittedpetticoatandsentittotheThenardiers。
ThispetticoatmadetheThenardiersfurious。Itwasthemoneythattheywanted。TheygavethepetticoattoEponine。ThepoorLarkcontinuedtoshiver。
Fantinethought:"Mychildisnolongercold。Ihaveclothedherwithmyhair。"Sheputonlittleroundcapswhichconcealedhershornhead，andinwhichshewasstillpretty。
DarkthoughtsheldpossessionofFantine’sheart。
Whenshesawthatshecouldnolongerdressherhair，shebegantohateeveryoneabouther。ShehadlongsharedtheuniversalvenerationforFatherMadeleine；yet，bydintofrepeatingtoherselfthatitwashewhohaddischargedher，thathewasthecauseofherunhappiness，shecametohatehimalso，andmostofall。
Whenshepassedthefactoryinworkinghours，whentheworkpeoplewereatthedoor，sheaffectedtolaughandsing。
Anoldworkwomanwhooncesawherlaughingandsinginginthisfashionsaid，"There’sagirlwhowillcometoabadend。
Shetookalover，thefirstwhooffered，amanwhomshedidnotlove，outofbravadoandwithrageinherheart。Hewasamiserablescamp，asortofmendicantmusician，alazybeggar，whobeather，andwhoabandonedherasshehadtakenhim，indisgust。
Sheadoredherchild。
Thelowershedescended，thedarkereverythinggrewabouther，themoreradiantshonethatlittleangelatthebottomofherheart。
Shesaid，"WhenIgetrich，IwillhavemyCosettewithme；"
andshelaughed。Hercoughdidnotleaveher，andshehadsweatsonherback。
OnedayshereceivedfromtheThenardiersalettercouchedinthefollowingterms:"Cosetteisillwithamaladywhichisgoingtheroundsoftheneighborhood。Amiliaryfever，theycallit。
Expensivedrugsarerequired。Thisisruiningus，andwecannolongerpayforthem。Ifyoudonotsendusfortyfrancsbeforetheweekisout，thelittleonewillbedead。"
Sheburstoutlaughing，andsaidtoheroldneighbor:"Ah！theyaregood！Fortyfrancs！theidea！Thatmakestwonapoleons！
WheredotheythinkIamtogetthem？Thesepeasantsarestupid，truly。"
Neverthelessshewenttoadormerwindowinthestaircaseandreadtheletteroncemore。Thenshedescendedthestairsandemerged，runningandleapingandstilllaughing。
Someonemetherandsaidtoher，"Whatmakesyousogay？"
Shereplied:"Afinepieceofstupiditythatsomecountrypeoplehavewrittentome。Theydemandfortyfrancsofme。Somuchforyou，youpeasants！"
Asshecrossedthesquare，shesawagreatmanypeoplecollectedaroundacarriageofeccentricshape，uponthetopofwhichstoodamandressedinred，whowasholdingforth。Hewasaquackdentistonhisrounds，whowasofferingtothepublicfullsetsofteeth，opiates，powdersandelixirs。
Fantinemingledinthegroup，andbegantolaughwiththerestattheharangue，whichcontainedslangforthepopulaceandjargonforrespectablepeople。Thetooth—pullerespiedthelovely，laughinggirl，andsuddenlyexclaimed:"Youhavebeautifulteeth，yougirlthere，whoarelaughing；ifyouwanttosellmeyourpalettes，Iwillgiveyouagoldnapoleonapieceforthem。"
"Whataremypalettes？"askedFantine。
"Thepalettes，"repliedthedentalprofessor，"arethefrontteeth，thetwoupperones。"
"Howhorrible！"exclaimedFantine。
"Twonapoleons！"grumbledatoothlessoldwomanwhowaspresent。
"Here’saluckygirl！"
Fantinefledandstoppedherearsthatshemightnothearthehoarsevoiceofthemanshoutingtoher:"Reflect，mybeauty！twonapoleons；
theymayproveofservice。Ifyourheartbidsyou，comethiseveningtotheinnoftheTillacd’Argent；youwillfindmethere。"
Fantinereturnedhome。Shewasfurious，andrelatedtheoccurrencetohergoodneighborMarguerite:"Canyouunderstandsuchathing？
Ishenotanabominableman？Howcantheyallowsuchpeopletogoaboutthecountry！Pulloutmytwofrontteeth！Why，Ishouldbehorrible！
Myhairwillgrowagain，butmyteeth！Ah！whatamonsterofaman！
Ishouldprefertothrowmyselfheadfirstonthepavementfromthefifthstory！HetoldmethatheshouldbeattheTillacd’Argentthisevening。"
"Andwhatdidheoffer？"askedMarguerite。
"Twonapoleons。"
"Thatmakesfortyfrancs。"
"Yes，"saidFantine；"thatmakesfortyfrancs。"
Sheremainedthoughtful，andbeganherwork。AttheexpirationofaquarterofanhourshelefthersewingandwenttoreadtheThenardiers’letteroncemoreonthestaircase。
Onherreturn，shesaidtoMarguerite，whowasatworkbesideher:——
"Whatisamiliaryfever？Doyouknow？"
"Yes，"answeredtheoldspinster；"itisadisease。"
"Doesitrequiremanydrugs？"
"Oh！terribledrugs。"
"Howdoesonegetit？"
"Itisamaladythatonegetswithoutknowinghow。"
"Thenitattackschildren？"
"Childreninparticular。"
"Dopeopledieofit？"
"Theymay，"saidMarguerite。
Fantinelefttheroomandwenttoreadherletteroncemoreonthestaircase。
Thateveningshewentout，andwasseentoturnherstepsinthedirectionoftheRuedeParis，wheretheinnsaresituated。
Thenextmorning，whenMargueriteenteredFantine’sroombeforedaylight，——fortheyalwaysworkedtogether，andinthismannerusedonlyonecandleforthetwo，——shefoundFantineseatedonherbed，paleandfrozen。Shehadnotlaindown。
Hercaphadfallenonherknees。Hercandlehadburnedallnight，andwasalmostentirelyconsumed。Margueritehaltedonthethreshold，petrifiedatthistremendouswastefulness，andexclaimed:——
"Lord！thecandleisallburnedout！Somethinghashappened。"
ThenshelookedatFantine，whoturnedtowardherherheadbereftofitshair。
Fantinehadgrowntenyearsoldersincetheprecedingnight。
"Jesus！"saidMarguerite，"whatisthematterwithyou，Fantine？"
"Nothing，"repliedFantine。"Quitethecontrary。Mychildwillnotdieofthatfrightfulmalady，forlackofsuccor。Iamcontent。"
Sosaying，shepointedouttothespinstertwonapoleonswhichwereglitteringonthetable。
"Ah！JesusGod！"criedMarguerite。"Why，itisafortune！
Wheredidyougetthoselouisd’or？"
"Igotthem，"repliedFantine。
Atthesametimeshesmiled。Thecandleilluminatedhercountenance。
Itwasabloodysmile。Areddishsalivasoiledthecornersofherlips，andshehadablackholeinhermouth。
Thetwoteethhadbeenextracted。
ShesentthefortyfrancstoMontfermeil。
AfterallitwasaruseoftheThenardierstoobtainmoney。
Cosettewasnotill。
Fantinethrewhermirroroutofthewindow。Shehadlongsincequittedhercellonthesecondfloorforanatticwithonlyalatchtofastenit，nexttheroof；oneofthoseatticswhoseextremityformsananglewiththefloor，andknocksyouontheheadeveryinstant。
Thepooroccupantcanreachtheendofhischamberashecantheendofhisdestiny，onlybybendingovermoreandmore。
Shehadnolongerabed；aragwhichshecalledhercoverlet，amattressonthefloor，andaseatlesschairstillremained。
Alittlerosebushwhichshehad，haddriedup，forgotten，inonecorner。
Intheothercornerwasabutter—pottoholdwater，whichfrozeinwinter，andinwhichthevariouslevelsofthewaterremainedlongmarkedbythesecirclesofice。Shehadlosthershame；
shelosthercoquetry。Afinalsign。Shewentout，withdirtycaps。
Whetherfromlackoftimeorfromindifference，shenolongermendedherlinen。Astheheelsworeout，shedraggedherstockingsdownintohershoes。Thiswasevidentfromtheperpendicularwrinkles。
Shepatchedherbodice，whichwasoldandwornout，withscrapsofcalicowhichtoreattheslightestmovement。Thepeopletowhomshewasindebtedmade"scenes"andgavehernopeace。
Shefoundtheminthestreet，shefoundthemagainonherstaircase。
Shepassedmanyanightweepingandthinking。Hereyeswereverybright，andshefeltasteadypaininhershouldertowardsthetopoftheleftshoulder—blade。Shecoughedagreatdeal。
ShedeeplyhatedFatherMadeleine，butmadenocomplaint。Shesewedseventeenhoursaday；butacontractorfortheworkofprisons，whomadetheprisonersworkatadiscount，suddenlymadepricesfall，whichreducedthedailyearningsofworking—womentoninesous。
Seventeenhoursoftoil，andninesousaday！Hercreditorsweremorepitilessthanever。Thesecond—handdealer，whohadtakenbacknearlyallhisfurniture，saidtoherincessantly，"Whenwillyoupayme，youhussy？"Whatdidtheywantofher，goodGod！Shefeltthatshewasbeinghunted，andsomethingofthewildbeastdevelopedinher。
Aboutthesametime，Thenardierwrotetoherthathehadwaitedwithdecidedlytoomuchamiabilityandthathemusthaveahundredfrancsatonce；otherwisehewouldturnlittleCosetteoutofdoors，convalescentasshewasfromherheavyillness，intothecoldandthestreets，andthatshemightdowhatshelikedwithherself，anddieifshechose。"Ahundredfrancs，"thoughtFantine。
"Butinwhattradecanoneearnahundredsousaday？"
"Come！"saidshe，"letussellwhatisleft。"
Theunfortunategirlbecameawomanofthetown。
CHAPTERXI
CHRISTUSNOSLIBERAVIT
WhatisthishistoryofFantine？Itissocietypurchasingaslave。
Fromwhom？Frommisery。
Fromhunger，cold，isolation，destitution。Adolorousbargain。
Asoulforamorselofbread。Miseryoffers；societyaccepts。
ThesacredlawofJesusChristgovernsourcivilization，butitdoesnot，asyet，permeateit；itissaidthatslaveryhasdisappearedfromEuropeancivilization。Thisisamistake。Itstillexists；
butitweighsonlyuponthewoman，anditiscalledprostitution。
Itweighsuponthewoman，thatistosay，upongrace，weakness，beauty，maternity。Thisisnotoneoftheleastofman’sdisgraces。
Atthepointinthismelancholydramawhichwehavenowreached，nothingislefttoFantineofthatwhichshehadformerlybeen。
Shehasbecomemarbleinbecomingmire。Whoevertouchesherfeelscold。
Shepasses；sheenduresyou；sheignoresyou；sheisthesevereanddishonoredfigure。Lifeandthesocialorderhavesaidtheirlastwordforher。Allhashappenedtoherthatwillhappentoher。
Shehasfelteverything，borneeverything，experiencedeverything，sufferedeverything，losteverything，mournedeverything。
Sheisresigned，withthatresignationwhichresemblesindifference，asdeathresemblessleep。Shenolongeravoidsanything。
Letallthecloudsfalluponher，andalltheoceansweepoverher！
Whatmattersittoher？Sheisaspongethatissoaked。
Atleast，shebelievesittobeso；butitisanerrortoimaginethatfatecanbeexhausted，andthatonehasreachedthebottomofanythingwhatever。
Alas！Whatareallthesefates，drivenonpell—mell？Whitheraretheygoing？Whyaretheythus？
Hewhoknowsthatseesthewholeoftheshadow。
Heisalone。HisnameisGod。
CHAPTERXII
M。BAMATABOIS’SINACTIVITY
Thereisinallsmalltowns，andtherewasatM。surM。inparticular，aclassofyoungmenwhonibbleawayanincomeoffifteenhundredfrancswiththesameairwithwhichtheirprototypesdevourtwohundredthousandfrancsayearinParis。Thesearebeingsofthegreatneuterspecies:impotentmen，parasites，cyphers，whohavealittleland，alittlefolly，alittlewit；whowouldberusticsinadrawing—room，andwhothinkthemselvesgentlemeninthedram—shop；whosay，"Myfields，mypeasants，mywoods"；
whohissactressesatthetheatretoprovethattheyarepersonsoftaste；quarrelwiththeofficersofthegarrisontoprovethattheyaremenofwar；hunt，smoke，yawn，drink，smelloftobacco，playbilliards，stareattravellersastheydescendfromthediligence，liveatthecafe，dineattheinn，haveadogwhicheatsthebonesunderthetable，andamistresswhoeatsthedishesonthetable；
whostickatasou，exaggeratethefashions，admiretragedy，despisewomen，wearouttheiroldboots，copyLondonthroughParis，andParisthroughthemediumofPont—A—Mousson，growoldasdullards，neverwork，servenouse，anddonogreatharm。
M。FelixTholomyes，hadheremainedinhisownprovinceandneverbeheldParis，wouldhavebeenoneofthesemen。
Iftheywerericher，onewouldsay，"Theyaredandies；"iftheywerepoorer，onewouldsay，"Theyareidlers。"Theyaresimplymenwithoutemployment。Amongtheseunemployedtherearebores，thebored，dreamers，andsomeknaves。
Atthatperiodadandywascomposedofatallcollar，abigcravat，awatchwithtrinkets，threevestsofdifferentcolors，wornoneontopoftheother——theredandblueinside；ofashort—waistedolivecoat，withacodfishtail，adoublerowofsilverbuttonssetclosetoeachotherandrunninguptotheshoulder；andapairoftrousersofalightershadeofolive，ornamentedonthetwoseamswithanindefinite，butalwaysuneven，numberoflines，varyingfromonetoeleven——alimitwhichwasneverexceeded。
Addtothis，highshoeswithlittleironsontheheels，atallhatwithanarrowbrim，hairworninatuft，anenormouscane，andconversationsetoffbypunsofPotier。Overall，spursandamustache。Atthatepochmustachesindicatedthebourgeois，andspursthepedestrian。
Theprovincialdandyworethelongestofspursandthefiercestofmustaches。
ItwastheperiodoftheconflictoftherepublicsofSouthAmericawiththeKingofSpain，ofBolivaragainstMorillo。
Narrow—brimmedhatswereroyalist，andwerecalledmorillos；
liberalsworehatswithwidebrims，whichwerecalledbolivars。
Eightortenmonths，then，afterthatwhichisrelatedintheprecedingpages，towardsthefirstofJanuary，1823，onasnowyevening，oneofthesedandies，oneoftheseunemployed，a"rightthinker，"
forheworeamorillo，andwas，moreover，warmlyenvelopedinoneofthoselargecloakswhichcompletedthefashionablecostumeincoldweather，wasamusinghimselfbytormentingacreaturewhowasprowlingaboutinaball—dress，withneckuncoveredandflowersinherhair，infrontoftheofficers’cafe。Thisdandywassmoking，forhewasdecidedlyfashionable。
Eachtimethatthewomanpassedinfrontofhim，hebestowedonher，togetherwithapufffromhiscigar，someapostrophewhichheconsideredwittyandmirthful，suchas，"Howuglyyouare！——
Willyougetoutofmysight？——Youhavenoteeth！"etc。，etc。
ThisgentlemanwasknownasM。Bamatabois。Thewoman，amelancholy，decoratedspectrewhichwentandcamethroughthesnow，madehimnoreply，didnotevenglanceathim，andneverthelesscontinuedherpromenadeinsilence，andwithasombreregularity，whichbroughthereveryfiveminuteswithinreachofthissarcasm，likethecondemnedsoldierwhoreturnsundertherods。Thesmalleffectwhichheproducednodoubtpiquedthelounger；andtakingadvantageofamomentwhenherbackwasturned，hecreptupbehindherwiththegaitofawolf，andstiflinghislaugh，bentdown，pickedupahandfulofsnowfromthepavement，andthrustitabruptlyintoherback，betweenherbareshoulders。Thewomanutteredaroar，whirledround，gavealeaplikeapanther，andhurledherselfupontheman，buryinghernailsinhisface，withthemostfrightfulwordswhichcouldfallfromtheguard—roomintothegutter。Theseinsults，pouredforthinavoiceroughenedbybrandy，did，indeed，proceedinhideouswisefromamouthwhichlackeditstwofrontteeth。
ItwasFantine。
Atthenoisethusproduced，theofficersranoutinthrongsfromthecafe，passers—bycollected，andalargeandmerrycircle，hootingandapplauding，wasformedaroundthiswhirlwindcomposedoftwobeings，whomtherewassomedifficultyinrecognizingasamanandawoman:themanstruggling，hishatontheground；
thewomanstrikingoutwithfeetandfists，bareheaded，howling，minushairandteeth，lividwithwrath，horrible。
Suddenlyamanofloftystatureemergedvivaciouslyfromthecrowd，seizedthewomanbyhersatinbodice，whichwascoveredwithmud，andsaidtoher，"Followme！"
Thewomanraisedherhead；herfuriousvoicesuddenlydiedaway。
Hereyeswereglassy；sheturnedpaleinsteadoflivid，andshetrembledwithaquiverofterror。ShehadrecognizedJavert。
Thedandytookadvantageoftheincidenttomakehisescape。
CHAPTERXIII
THESOLUTIONOFSOMEQUESTIONSCONNECTEDWITHTHEMUNICIPALPOLICE
Javertthrustasidethespectators，brokethecircle，andsetoutwithlongstridestowardsthepolicestation，whichissituatedattheextremityofthesquare，draggingthewretchedwomanafterhim。
Sheyieldedmechanically。Neitherhenorsheutteredaword。
Thecloudofspectatorsfollowed，jesting，inaparoxysmofdelight。
Suprememiseryanoccasionforobscenity。
Onarrivingatthepolicestation，whichwasalowroom，warmedbyastove，withaglazedandgrateddooropeningonthestreet，andguardedbyadetachment，Javertopenedthedoor，enteredwithFantine，andshutthedoorbehindhim，tothegreatdisappointmentofthecurious，whoraisedthemselvesontiptoe，andcranedtheirnecksinfrontofthethickglassofthestation—house，intheirefforttosee。
Curiosityisasortofgluttony。Toseeistodevour。
Onentering，Fantinefelldowninacorner，motionlessandmute，crouchingdownlikeaterrifieddog。
Thesergeantoftheguardbroughtalightedcandletothetable。
Javertseatedhimself，drewasheetofstampedpaperfromhispocket，andbegantowrite。
Thisclassofwomenisconsignedbyourlawsentirelytothediscretionofthepolice。Thelatterdowhattheyplease，punishthem，asseemsgoodtothem，andconfiscateattheirwillthosetwosorrythingswhichtheyentitletheirindustryandtheirliberty。
Javertwasimpassive；hisgravefacebetrayednoemotionwhatever。
Nevertheless，hewasseriouslyanddeeplypreoccupied。Itwasoneofthosemomentswhenhewasexercisingwithoutcontrol，butsubjecttoallthescruplesofasevereconscience，hisredoubtablediscretionarypower。Atthatmomenthewasconsciousthathispoliceagent’sstoolwasatribunal。Hewasenteringjudgment。
Hejudgedandcondemned。Hesummonedalltheideaswhichcouldpossiblyexistinhismind，aroundthegreatthingwhichhewasdoing。
Themoreheexaminedthedeedofthiswoman，themoreshockedhefelt。
Itwasevidentthathehadjustwitnessedthecommissionofacrime。
Hehadjustbeheld，yonder，inthestreet，society，inthepersonofafreeholderandanelector，insultedandattackedbyacreaturewhowasoutsideallpales。Aprostitutehadmadeanattemptonthelifeofacitizen。Hehadseenthat，he，Javert。Hewroteinsilence。
Whenhehadfinishedhesignedthepaper，foldedit，andsaidtothesergeantoftheguard，ashehandedittohim，"Takethreemenandconductthiscreaturetojail。"
Then，turningtoFantine，"Youaretohavesixmonthsofit。"
Theunhappywomanshuddered。
"Sixmonths！sixmonthsofprison！"sheexclaimed。"Sixmonthsinwhichtoearnsevensousaday！ButwhatwillbecomeofCosette？
Mydaughter！mydaughter！ButIstillowetheThenardiersoverahundredfrancs；doyouknowthat，MonsieurInspector？"
Shedraggedherselfacrossthedampfloor，amongthemuddybootsofallthosemen，withoutrising，withclaspedhands，andtakinggreatstridesonherknees。
"MonsieurJavert，"saidshe，"Ibeseechyourmercy。IassureyouthatIwasnotinthewrong。Ifyouhadseenthebeginning，youwouldhaveseen。IsweartoyoubythegoodGodthatIwasnottoblame！Thatgentleman，thebourgeois，whomIdonotknow，putsnowinmyback。Hasanyonetherighttoputsnowdownourbackswhenwearewalkingalongpeaceably，anddoingnoharmtoanyone？
Iamratherill，asyousee。Andthen，hehadbeensayingimpertinentthingstomeforalongtime:`Youareugly！youhavenoteeth！’
IknowwellthatIhavenolongerthoseteeth。Ididnothing；
Isaidtomyself，`Thegentlemanisamusinghimself。’Iwashonestwithhim；Ididnotspeaktohim。Itwasatthatmomentthatheputthesnowdownmyback。MonsieurJavert，goodMonsieurInspector！istherenotsomepersonherewhosawitandcantellyouthatthisisquitetrue？PerhapsIdidwrongtogetangry。
Youknowthatoneisnotmasterofone’sselfatthefirstmoment。
Onegiveswaytovivacity；andthen，whensomeoneputssomethingcolddownyourbackjustwhenyouarenotexpectingit！Ididwrongtospoilthatgentleman’shat。Whydidhegoaway？Iwouldaskhispardon。Oh，myGod！ItmakesnodifferencetomewhetherIaskhispardon。Domethefavorto—day，forthisonce，MonsieurJavert。
Hold！youdonotknowthatinprisononecanearnonlysevensousaday；
itisnotthegovernment’sfault，butsevensousisone’searnings；
andjustfancy，Imustpayonehundredfrancs，ormylittlegirlwillbesenttome。Oh，myGod！Icannothaveherwithme。
WhatIdoissovile！Oh，myCosette！Oh，mylittleangeloftheHolyVirgin！whatwillbecomeofher，poorcreature？Iwilltellyou:
itistheThenardiers，inn—keepers，peasants；andsuchpeopleareunreasonable。Theywantmoney。Don’tputmeinprison！
Yousee，thereisalittlegirlwhowillbeturnedoutintothestreettogetalongasbestshemay，intheveryheartofthewinter；
andyoumusthavepityonsuchabeing，mygoodMonsieurJavert。
Ifshewereolder，shemightearnherliving；butitcannotbedoneatthatage。Iamnotabadwomanatbottom。ItisnotcowardlinessandgluttonythathavemademewhatIam。IfIhavedrunkbrandy，itwasoutofmisery。Idonotloveit；butitbenumbsthesenses。
WhenIwashappy，itwasonlynecessarytoglanceintomyclosets，anditwouldhavebeenevidentthatIwasnotacoquettishanduntidywoman。Ihadlinen，agreatdealoflinen。Havepityonme，MonsieurJavert！"
Shespokethus，rentintwain，shakenwithsobs，blindedwithtears，herneckbare，wringingherhands，andcoughingwithadry，shortcough，stammeringsoftlywithavoiceofagony。Greatsorrowisadivineandterribleray，whichtransfigurestheunhappy。
AtthatmomentFantinehadbecomebeautifuloncemore。Fromtimetotimeshepaused，andtenderlykissedthepoliceagent’scoat。
Shewouldhavesoftenedaheartofgranite；butaheartofwoodcannotbesoftened。
"Come！"saidJavert，"Ihaveheardyouout。Haveyouentirelyfinished？
Youwillgetsixmonths。Nowmarch！TheEternalFatherinpersoncoulddonothingmore。"
Atthesesolemnwords，"theEternalFatherinpersoncoulddonothingmore，"sheunderstoodthatherfatewassealed。
Shesankdown，murmuring，"Mercy！"
Javertturnedhisback。
Thesoldiersseizedherbythearms。
Afewmomentsearlieramanhadentered，butnoonehadpaidanyheedtohim。Heshutthedoor，leanedhisbackagainstit，andlistenedtoFantine’sdespairingsupplications。
Attheinstantwhenthesoldierslaidtheirhandsupontheunfortunatewoman，whowouldnotrise，heemergedfromtheshadow，andsaid:——
"Onemoment，ifyouplease。"
JavertraisedhiseyesandrecognizedM。Madeleine。Heremovedhishat，and，salutinghimwithasortofaggrievedawkwardness:——
"Excuseme，Mr。Mayor——"
Thewords"Mr。Mayor"producedacuriouseffectuponFantine。
Sherosetoherfeetwithonebound，likeaspectrespringingfromtheearth，thrustasidethesoldierswithbotharms，walkedstraightuptoM。Madeleinebeforeanyonecouldpreventher，andgazingintentlyathim，withabewilderedair，shecried:——
"Ah！soitisyouwhoareM。leMaire！"
Thensheburstintoalaugh，andspitinhisface。
M。Madeleinewipedhisface，andsaid:——
"InspectorJavert，setthiswomanatliberty。"
Javertfeltthathewasonthevergeofgoingmad。Heexperiencedatthatmoment，blowuponblowandalmostsimultaneously，themostviolentemotionswhichhehadeverundergoneinallhislife。
Toseeawomanofthetownspitinthemayor’sfacewasathingsomonstrousthat，inhismostdaringflightsoffancy，hewouldhaveregardeditasasacrilegetobelieveitpossible。
Ontheotherhand，attheverybottomofhisthought，hemadeahideouscomparisonastowhatthiswomanwas，andastowhatthismayormightbe；andthenhe，withhorror，caughtaglimpseofI
knownotwhatsimpleexplanationofthisprodigiousattack。
Butwhenhebeheldthatmayor，thatmagistrate，calmlywipehisfaceandsay，"Setthiswomanatliberty，"heunderwentasortofintoxicationofamazement；thoughtandwordfailedhimequally；
thesumtotalofpossibleastonishmenthadbeenexceededinhiscase。
Heremainedmute。
ThewordshadproducednolessstrangeaneffectonFantine。
Sheraisedherbarearm，andclungtothedamperofthestove，likeapersonwhoisreeling。Nevertheless，sheglancedabouther，andbegantospeakinalowvoice，asthoughtalkingtoherself:——
"Atliberty！Iamtobeallowedtogo！Iamnottogotoprisonforsixmonths！Whosaidthat？Itisnotpossiblethatanyonecouldhavesaidthat。Ididnotheararight。Itcannothavebeenthatmonsterofamayor！Wasityou，mygoodMonsieurJavert，whosaidthatIwastobesetfree？Oh，seehere！Iwilltellyouaboutit，andyouwillletmego。Thatmonsterofamayor，thatoldblackguardofamayor，isthecauseofall。Justimagine，MonsieurJavert，heturnedmeout！allbecauseofapackofrascallywomen，whogossipintheworkroom。Ifthatisnotahorror，whatis？Todismissapoorgirlwhoisdoingherworkhonestly！
ThenIcouldnolongerearnenough，andallthismiseryfollowed。
Inthefirstplace，thereisoneimprovementwhichthesegentlemenofthepoliceoughttomake，andthatis，topreventprisoncontractorsfromwrongingpoorpeople。Iwillexplainittoyou，yousee:youareearningtwelvesousatshirt—making，thepricefallstoninesous；anditisnotenoughtoliveon。
Thenonehastobecomewhateveronecan。Asforme，IhadmylittleCosette，andIwasactuallyforcedtobecomeabadwoman。
Nowyouunderstandhowitisthatthatblackguardofamayorcausedallthemischief。AfterthatIstampedonthatgentleman’shatinfrontoftheofficers’cafe；buthehadspoiledmywholedresswithsnow。Wewomenhavebutonesilkdressforeveningwear。
YouseethatIdidnotdowrongdeliberately——truly，MonsieurJavert；
andeverywhereIbeholdwomenwhoarefarmorewickedthanI，andwhoaremuchhappier。OMonsieurJavert！itwasyouwhogaveordersthatIamtobesetfree，wasitnot？Makeinquiries，speaktomylandlord；Iampayingmyrentnow；theywilltellyouthatIamperfectlyhonest。Ah！myGod！Ibegyourpardon；
Ihaveunintentionallytouchedthedamperofthestove，andithasmadeitsmoke。"
M。Madeleinelistenedtoherwithprofoundattention。Whileshewasspeaking，hefumbledinhiswaistcoat，drewouthispurseandopenedit。Itwasempty。Heputitbackinhispocket。
HesaidtoFantine，"Howmuchdidyousaythatyouowed？"
Fantine，whowaslookingatJavertonly，turnedtowardshim:——
"WasIspeakingtoyou？"
Then，addressingthesoldiers:——
"Say，youfellows，didyouseehowIspitinhisface？
Ah！youoldwretchofamayor，youcameheretofrightenme，butI’mnotafraidofyou。IamafraidofMonsieurJavert。
IamafraidofmygoodMonsieurJavert！"
Sosaying，sheturnedtotheinspectoragain:——
"Andyet，yousee，Mr。Inspector，itisnecessarytobejust。
Iunderstandthatyouarejust，Mr。Inspector；infact，itisperfectlysimple:amanamuseshimselfbyputtingsnowdownawoman’sback，andthatmakestheofficerslaugh；onemustdivertthemselvesinsomeway；andwe——well，wearehereforthemtoamusethemselveswith，ofcourse！Andthen，you，youcome；youarecertainlyobligedtopreserveorder，youleadoffthewomanwhoisinthewrong；butonreflection，sinceyouareagoodman，yousaythatIamtobesetatliberty；itisforthesakeofthelittleone，forsixmonthsinprisonwouldpreventmysupportingmychild。
`Only，don’tdoitagain，youhussy！’Oh！Iwon’tdoitagain，MonsieurJavert！Theymaydowhatevertheypleasetomenow；
Iwillnotstir。Butto—day，yousee，Icriedbecauseithurtme。
Iwasnotexpectingthatsnowfromthegentlemanatall；andthenasItoldyou，Iamnotwell；Ihaveacough；Iseemtohaveaburningballinmystomach，andthedoctortellsme，`Takecareofyourself。’Here，feel，givemeyourhand；don’tbeafraid——
itishere。"
Shenolongerwept，hervoicewascaressing；sheplacedJavert’scoarsehandonherdelicate，whitethroatandlookedsmilinglyathim。
Allatoncesherapidlyadjustedherdisorderedgarments，droppedthefoldsofherskirt，whichhadbeenpushedupasshedraggedherselfalong，almosttotheheightofherknee，andsteppedtowardsthedoor，sayingtothesoldiersinalowvoice，andwithafriendlynod:——
"Children，Monsieurl’InspecteurhassaidthatIamtobereleased，andIamgoing。"
Shelaidherhandonthelatchofthedoor。Onestepmoreandshewouldbeinthestreet。
Javertuptothatmomenthadremainederect，motionless，withhiseyesfixedontheground，castathwartthisscenelikesomedisplacedstatue，whichiswaitingtobeputawaysomewhere。
Thesoundofthelatchrousedhim。Heraisedhisheadwithanexpressionofsovereignauthority，anexpressionallthemorealarminginproportionastheauthorityrestsonalowlevel，ferociousinthewildbeast，atrociousinthemanofnoestate。
"Sergeant！"hecried，"don’tyouseethatthatjadeiswalkingoff！
Whobadeyoulethergo？"
"I，"saidMadeleine。
FantinetrembledatthesoundofJavert’svoice，andletgoofthelatchasathiefrelinquishesthearticlewhichhehasstolen。
AtthesoundofMadeleine’svoicesheturnedaround，andfromthatmomentforthsheutterednoword，nordaredsomuchastobreathefreely，butherglancestrayedfromMadeleinetoJavert，andfromJaverttoMadeleineinturn，accordingtowhichwasspeaking。
ItwasevidentthatJavertmusthavebeenexasperatedbeyondmeasurebeforehewouldpermithimselftoapostrophizethesergeantashehaddone，afterthemayor’ssuggestionthatFantineshouldbesetatliberty。Hadhereachedthepointofforgettingthemayor’spresence？Hadhefinallydeclaredtohimselfthatitwasimpossiblethatany"authority"shouldhavegivensuchanorder，andthatthemayormustcertainlyhavesaidonethingbymistakeforanother，withoutintendingit？Or，inviewoftheenormitiesofwhichhehadbeenawitnessforthepasttwohours，didhesaytohimself，thatitwasnecessarytorecurtosupremeresolutions，thatitwasindispensablethatthesmallshouldbemadegreat，thatthepolicespyshouldtransformhimselfintoamagistrate，thatthepolicemanshouldbecomeadispenserofjustice，andthat，inthisprodigiousextremity，order，law，morality，government，societyinitsentirety，waspersonifiedinhim，Javert？
Howeverthatmaybe，whenM。Madeleineutteredthatword，_I_，aswehavejustheard，PoliceInspectorJavertwasseentoturntowardthemayor，pale，cold，withbluelips，andalookofdespair，hiswholebodyagitatedbyanimperceptiblequiverandanunprecedentedoccurrence，andsaytohim，withdowncasteyesbutafirmvoice:——
"Mr。Mayor，thatcannotbe。"
"Whynot？"saidM。Madeleine。
"Thismiserablewomanhasinsultedacitizen。"
"InspectorJavert，"repliedthemayor，inacalmandconciliatingtone，"listen。Youareanhonestman，andIfeelnohesitationinexplainingmatterstoyou。Hereisthetruestateofthecase:
Iwaspassingthroughthesquarejustasyouwereleadingthiswomanaway；therewerestillgroupsofpeoplestandingabout，andImadeinquiriesandlearnedeverything；itwasthetownsmanwhowasinthewrongandwhoshouldhavebeenarrestedbyproperlyconductedpolice。"
Javertretorted:——
"ThiswretchhasjustinsultedMonsieurleMaire。"
"Thatconcernsme，"saidM。Madeleine。"Myowninsultbelongstome，Ithink。IcandowhatIpleaseaboutit。"
"IbegMonsieurleMaire’spardon。Theinsultisnottohimbuttothelaw。"
"InspectorJavert，"repliedM。Madeleine，"thehighestlawisconscience。Ihaveheardthiswoman；IknowwhatIamdoing。"
"AndI，Mr。Mayor，donotknowwhatIsee。"
"Thencontentyourselfwithobeying。"
"Iamobeyingmyduty。Mydutydemandsthatthiswomanshallservesixmonthsinprison。"
M。Madeleinerepliedgently:——
"Heedthiswell；shewillnotserveasingleday。"
Atthisdecisiveword，Javertventuredtofixasearchinglookonthemayorandtosay，butinatoneofvoicethatwasstillprofoundlyrespectful:——
"IamsorrytoopposeMonsieurleMaire；itisforthefirsttimeinmylife，buthewillpermitmetoremarkthatIamwithintheboundsofmyauthority。Iconfinemyself，sinceMonsieurleMairedesiresit，tothequestionofthegentleman。Iwaspresent。
ThiswomanflungherselfonMonsieurBamatabnois，whoisanelectorandtheproprietorofthathandsomehousewithabalcony，whichformsthecorneroftheesplanade，threestorieshighandentirelyofcutstone。Suchthingsasthereareintheworld！
Inanycase，MonsieurleMaire，thisisaquestionofpoliceregulationsinthestreets，andconcernsme，andIshalldetainthiswomanFantine。"
ThenM。Madeleinefoldedhisarms，andsaidinaseverevoicewhichnooneinthetownhadheardhitherto:——
"Themattertowhichyoureferisoneconnectedwiththemunicipalpolice。Accordingtothetermsofarticlesnine，eleven，fifteen，andsixty—sixofthecodeofcriminalexamination，Iamthejudge。Iorderthatthiswomanshallbesetatliberty。"
Javertventuredtomakeafinaleffort。
"But，Mr。Mayor——"
"Ireferyoutoarticleeighty—oneofthelawofthe13thofDecember，1799，inregardtoarbitrarydetention。"
"MonsieurleMaire，permitme——"
"Notanotherword。"
"But——"
"Leavetheroom，"saidM。Madeleine。
Javertreceivedtheblowerect，fullintheface，inhisbreast，likeaRussiansoldier。Hebowedtotheveryearthbeforethemayorandlefttheroom。
Fantinestoodasidefromthedoorandstaredathiminamazementashepassed。
Nevertheless，shealsowasthepreytoastrangeconfusion。Shehadjustseenherselfasubjectofdisputebetweentwoopposingpowers。
Shehadseentwomenwhoheldintheirhandsherliberty，herlife，hersoul，herchild，incombatbeforeherveryeyes；oneofthesemenwasdrawinghertowardsdarkness，theotherwasleadingherbacktowardsthelight。Inthisconflict，viewedthroughtheexaggerationsofterror，thesetwomenhadappearedtoherliketwogiants；
theonespokelikeherdemon，theotherlikehergoodangel。
Theangelhadconqueredthedemon，and，strangetosay，thatwhichmadehershudderfromheadtofootwasthefactthatthisangel，thisliberator，wastheverymanwhomsheabhorred，thatmayorwhomshehadsolongregardedastheauthorofallherwoes，thatMadeleine！
Andattheverymomentwhenshehadinsultedhiminsohideousafashion，hehadsavedher！Hadshe，then，beenmistaken？
Mustshechangeherwholesoul？Shedidnotknow；shetrembled。
Shelistenedinbewilderment，shelookedoninaffright，andateverywordutteredbyM。Madeleineshefeltthefrightfulshadesofhatredcrumbleandmeltwithinher，andsomethingwarmandineffable，indescribable，whichwasbothjoy，confidenceandlove，dawninherheart。
WhenJaverthadtakenhisdeparture，M。Madeleineturnedtoherandsaidtoherinadeliberatevoice，likeaseriousmanwhodoesnotwishtoweepandwhofindssomedifficultyinspeaking:——
"Ihaveheardyou。Iknewnothingaboutwhatyouhavementioned。
Ibelievethatitistrue，andIfeelthatitistrue。Iwasevenignorantofthefactthatyouhadleftmyshop。Whydidyounotapplytome？Buthere；Iwillpayyourdebts，Iwillsendforyourchild，oryoushallgotoher。Youshalllivehere，inParis，orwhereyouplease。Iundertakethecareofyourchildandyourself。Youshallnotworkanylongerifyoudonotlike。Iwillgiveallthemoneyyourequire。Youshallbehonestandhappyoncemore。Andlisten！
Ideclaretoyouthatifallisasyousay，——andIdonotdoubtit，——
youhaveneverceasedtobevirtuousandholyinthesightofGod。
Oh！poorwoman。"
ThiswasmorethanFantinecouldbear。TohaveCosette！Toleavethislifeofinfamy。Tolivefree，rich，happy，respectablewithCosette；
toseealltheserealitiesofparadiseblossomofasuddeninthemidstofhermisery。Shestaredstupidlyatthismanwhowastalkingtoher，andcouldonlygiveventtotwoorthreesobs，"Oh！Oh！Oh！"
Herlimbsgavewaybeneathher，shekneltinfrontofM。Madeleine，andbeforehecouldpreventherhefelthergrasphishandandpressherlipstoit。
Thenshefainted。
BOOKSIXTH。——JAVERT
CHAPTERI
THEBEGINNINGOFREPOSE
M。MadeleinehadFantineremovedtothatinfirmarywhichhehadestablishedinhisownhouse。Heconfidedhertothesisters，whoputhertobed。Aburningfeverhadcomeon。Shepassedapartofthenightindeliriumandraving。Atlength，however，shefellasleep。
Onthemorrow，towardsmidday，Fantineawoke。Sheheardsomeonebreathingclosetoherbed；shedrewasidethecurtainandsawM。Madeleinestandingthereandlookingatsomethingoverherhead。
Hisgazewasfullofpity，anguish，andsupplication。Shefolloweditsdirection，andsawthatitwasfixedonacrucifixwhichwasnailedtothewall。
Thenceforth，M。MadeleinewastransfiguredinFantine’seyes。Heseemedtohertobeclothedinlight。Hewasabsorbedinasortofprayer。
Shegazedathimforalongtimewithoutdaringtointerrupthim。
Atlastshesaidtimidly:——
"Whatareyoudoing？"
M。Madeleinehadbeenthereforanhour。HehadbeenwaitingforFantinetoawake。Hetookherhand，feltofherpulse，andreplied:——
"Howdoyoufeel？"
"Well，Ihaveslept，"shereplied；"IthinkthatIambetter，Itisnothing。"
Heanswered，respondingtothefirstquestionwhichshehadputtohimasthoughhehadjustheardit:——
"Iwasprayingtothemartyrthereonhigh。"
Andheaddedinhisownmind，"Forthemartyrherebelow。"
M。Madeleinehadpassedthenightandthemorninginmakinginquiries。Heknewallnow。
HeknewFantine’shistoryinallitsheart—rendingdetails。Hewenton:——
"Youhavesufferedmuch，poormother。Oh！donotcomplain；younowhavethedowryoftheelect。Itisthusthatmenaretransformedintoangels。Itisnottheirfaulttheydonotknowhowtogotoworkotherwise。Youseethishellfromwhichyouhavejustemergedisthefirstformofheaven。Itwasnecessarytobeginthere。"
Hesigheddeeply。Butshesmiledonhimwiththatsublimesmileinwhichtwoteethwerelacking。
Thatsamenight，Javertwrotealetter。ThenextmorningbepostedithimselfattheofficeofM。surM。ItwasaddressedtoParis，andthesuperscriptionran:ToMonsieurChabouillet，SecretaryofMonsieurlePrefetofPolice。Astheaffairinthestation—househadbeenbruitedabout，thepost—mistressandsomeotherpersonswhosawtheletterbeforeitwassentoff，andwhorecognizedJavert’shandwritingonthecover，thoughtthathewassendinginhisresignation。
M。MadeleinemadehastetowritetotheThenardiers。Fantineowedthemonehundredandtwentyfrancs。Hesentthemthreehundredfrancs，tellingthemtopaythemselvesfromthatsum，andtofetchthechildinstantlytoM。surM。，wherehersickmotherrequiredherpresence。
ThisdazzledThenardier。"Thedevil！"saidthemantohiswife；
"don’tlet’sallowthechildtogo。Thislarkisgoingtoturnintoamilchcow。Iseethroughit。Someninnyhastakenafancytothemother。"
Herepliedwithaverywelldrawn—upbillforfivehundredandsomeoddfrancs。Inthismemorandumtwoindisputableitemsfiguredupoverthreehundredfrancs，——oneforthedoctor，theotherfortheapothecarywhohadattendedandphysickedEponineandAzelmathroughtwolongillnesses。Cosette，aswehavealreadysaid，hadnotbeenill。
Itwasonlyaquestionofatriflingsubstitutionofnames。
AtthefootofthememorandumThenardierwrote，Receivedonaccount，threehundredfrancs。
M。Madeleineimmediatelysentthreehundredfrancsmore，andwrote，"MakehastetobringCosette。"
"Christi！"saidThenardier，"let’snotgiveupthechild。"
Inthemeantime，Fantinedidnotrecover。Shestillremainedintheinfirmary。
Thesistershadatfirstonlyreceivedandnursed"thatwoman"
withrepugnance。Thosewhohaveseenthebas—reliefsofRheimswillrecalltheinflationofthelowerlipofthewisevirginsastheysurveythefoolishvirgins。Theancientscornofthevestalsfortheambubajaeisoneofthemostprofoundinstinctsoffemininedignity；thesistersfeltitwiththedoubleforcecontributedbyreligion。ButinafewdaysFantinedisarmedthem。
Shesaidallkindsofhumbleandgentlethings，andthemotherinherprovokedtenderness。Onedaythesistersheardhersayamidherfever:"Ihavebeenasinner；butwhenIhavemychildbesideme，itwillbeasignthatGodhaspardonedme。
WhileIwasleadingabadlife，IshouldnothavelikedtohavemyCosettewithme；Icouldnothavebornehersad，astonishedeyes。
ItwasforhersakethatIdidevil，andthatiswhyGodpardonsme。
IshallfeelthebenedictionofthegoodGodwhenCosetteishere。
Ishallgazeather；itwilldomegoodtoseethatinnocentcreature。
Sheknowsnothingatall。Sheisanangel，yousee，mysisters。
Atthatagethewingshavenotfallenoff。"
M。Madeleinewenttoseehertwiceaday，andeachtimesheaskedhim:——
"ShallIseemyCosettesoon？"
Heanswered:——
"To—morrow，perhaps。Shemayarriveatanymoment。Iamexpectingher。"
Andthemother’spalefacegrewradiant。
"Oh！"shesaid，"howhappyIamgoingtobe！"
Wehavejustsaidthatshedidnotrecoverherhealth。Onthecontrary，herconditionseemedtobecomemoregravefromweektoweek。
Thathandfulofsnowappliedtoherbareskinbetweenhershoulder—bladeshadbroughtaboutasuddensuppressionofperspiration，asaconsequenceofwhichthemaladywhichhadbeensmoulderingwithinherformanyyearswasviolentlydevelopedatlast。
AtthattimepeoplewerebeginningtofollowthefineLaennec’sfinesuggestionsinthestudyandtreatmentofchestmaladies。
ThedoctorsoundedFantine’schestandshookhishead。
M。Madeleinesaidtothedoctor:——
"Well？"
"Hasshenotachildwhichshedesirestosee？"saidthedoctor。
"Yes。"
"Well！Makehasteandgetithere！"
M。Madeleineshuddered。
Fantineinquired:——
"Whatdidthedoctorsay？"
M。Madeleineforcedhimselftosmile。
"Hesaidthatyourchildwastobebroughtspeedily。Thatthatwouldrestoreyourhealth。"
"Oh！"sherejoined，"heisright！ButwhatdothoseThenardiersmeanbykeepingmyCosettefromme！Oh！sheiscoming。AtlastI
beholdhappinessclosebesideme！"
InthemeantimeThenardierdidnot"letgoofthechild，"andgaveahundredinsufficientreasonsforit。Cosettewasnotquitewellenoughtotakeajourneyinthewinter。Andthen，therestillremainedsomepettybutpressingdebtsintheneighborhood，andtheywerecollectingthebillsforthem，etc。，etc。
"IshallsendsomeonetofetchCosette！"saidFatherMadeleine。
"Ifnecessary，Iwillgomyself。"
HewrotethefollowinglettertoFantine’sdictation，andmadehersignit:——
"MONSIEURTHENARDIER:——
YouwilldeliverCosettetothisperson。
Youwillbepaidforallthelittlethings。
Ihavethehonortosaluteyouwithrespect。
"FANTINE。"
Inthemeantimeaseriousincidentoccurred。Carveaswewillthemysteriousblockofwhichourlifeismade，theblackveinofdestinyconstantlyreappearsinit。
CHAPTERII
HOWJEANMAYBECOMECHAMP
OnemorningM。Madeleinewasinhisstudy，occupiedinarranginginadvancesomepressingmattersconnectedwiththemayor’soffice，incaseheshoulddecidetotakethetriptoMontfermeil，whenhewasinformedthatPoliceInspectorJavertwasdesirousofspeakingwithhim。Madeleinecouldnotrefrainfromadisagreeableimpressiononhearingthisname。Javerthadavoidedhimmorethaneversincetheaffairofthepolice—station，andM。Madeleinehadnotseenhim。
"Admithim，"hesaid。
Javertentered。
M。Madeleinehadretainedhisseatnearthefire，peninhand，hiseyesfixedonthedocketwhichhewasturningoverandannotating，andwhichcontainedthetrialsofthecommissiononhighwaysfortheinfractionofpoliceregulations。HedidnotdisturbhimselfonJavert’saccount。HecouldnothelpthinkingofpoorFantine，anditsuitedhimtobeglacialinhismanner。
Javertbestowedarespectfulsaluteonthemayor，whosebackwasturnedtohim。Themayordidnotlookathim，butwentonannotatingthisdocket。
Javertadvancedtwoorthreepacesintothestudy，andhalted，withoutbreakingthesilence。
IfanyphysiognomistwhohadbeenfamiliarwithJavert，andwhohadmadealengthystudyofthissavageintheserviceofcivilization，thissingularcompositeoftheRoman，theSpartan，themonk，andthecorporal，thisspywhowasincapableofalie，thisunspottedpoliceagent——ifanyphysiognomisthadknownhissecretandlong—cherishedaversionforM。Madeleine，hisconflictwiththemayoronthesubjectofFantine，andhadexaminedJavertatthatmoment，hewouldhavesaidtohimself，"Whathastakenplace？"
Itwasevidenttoanyoneacquaintedwiththatclear，upright，sincere，honest，austere，andferociousconscience，thatJaverthadbutjustgonethroughsomegreatinteriorstruggle。Javerthadnothinginhissoulwhichhehadnotalsoinhiscountenance。Likeviolentpeopleingeneral，hewassubjecttoabruptchangesofopinion。
Hisphysiognomyhadneverbeenmorepeculiarandstartling。
OnenteringhebowedtoM。Madeleinewithalookinwhichtherewasneitherrancor，anger，nordistrust；hehaltedafewpacesintherearofthemayor’sarm—chair，andtherehestood，perfectlyerect，inanattitudealmostofdiscipline，withthecold，ingenuousroughnessofamanwhohasneverbeengentleandwhohasalwaysbeenpatient；
hewaitedwithoututteringaword，withoutmakingamovement，ingenuinehumilityandtranquilresignation，calm，serious，hatinhand，witheyescastdown，andanexpressionwhichwashalf—waybetweenthatofasoldierinthepresenceofhisofficerandacriminalinthepresenceofhisjudge，untilitshouldpleasethemayortoturnround。Allthesentimentsaswellasallthememorieswhichonemighthaveattributedtohimhaddisappeared。Thatface，asimpenetrableandsimpleasgranite，nolongerboreanytraceofanythingbutamelancholydepression。Hiswholepersonbreathedlowlinessandfirmnessandanindescribablecourageousdespondency。
Atlastthemayorlaiddownhispenandturnedhalfround。
"Well！Whatisit？Whatisthematter，Javert？"
Javertremainedsilentforaninstantasthoughcollectinghisideas，thenraisedhisvoicewithasortofsadsolemnity，whichdidnot，however，precludesimplicity。
"Thisisthematter，Mr。Mayor；aculpableacthasbeencommitted。"
"Whatact？"
"Aninferioragentoftheauthoritieshasfailedinrespect，andinthegravestmanner，towardsamagistrate。Ihavecometobringthefacttoyourknowledge，asitismydutytodo。"
"Whoistheagent？"askedM。Madeleine。
"I，"saidJavert。
"You？"
"I。"
"Andwhoisthemagistratewhohasreasontocomplainoftheagent？"
"You，Mr。Mayor。"
M。Madeleinesaterectinhisarm—chair。Javertwenton，withasevereairandhiseyesstillcastdown。
"Mr。Mayor，Ihavecometorequestyoutoinstigatetheauthoritiestodismissme。"
M。Madeleineopenedhismouthinamazement。Javertinterruptedhim:——
"YouwillsaythatImighthavehandedinmyresignation，butthatdoesnotsuffice。Handinginone’sresignationishonorable。
Ihavefailedinmyduty；Ioughttobepunished；Imustbeturnedout。"
Andafterapauseheadded:——
"Mr。Mayor，youwereseverewithmetheotherday，andunjustly。
Besoto—day，withjustice。"
"Come，now！Why？"exclaimedM。Madeleine。"Whatnonsenseisthis？
Whatisthemeaningofthis？Whatculpableacthaveyoubeenguiltyoftowardsme？Whathaveyoudonetome？Whatareyourwrongswithregardtome？Youaccuseyourself；youwishtobesuperseded——"
"Turnedout，"saidJavert。
"Turnedout；soitbe，then。Thatiswell。Idonotunderstand。"
"Youshallunderstand，Mr。Mayor。"
Javertsighedfromtheverybottomofhischest，andresumed，stillcoldlyandsadly:——
"Mr。Mayor，sixweeksago，inconsequenceofthesceneoverthatwoman，Iwasfurious，andIinformedagainstyou。"
"Informedagainstme！"
"AtthePrefectureofPoliceinParis。"
M。Madeleine，whowasnotinthehabitoflaughingmuchoftenerthanJaverthimself，burstoutlaughingnow:——
"Asamayorwhohadencroachedontheprovinceofthepolice？"
"Asanex—convict。"
Themayorturnedlivid。
Javert，whohadnotraisedhiseyes，wenton:——
"Ithoughtitwasso。Ihadhadanideaforalongtime；
aresemblance；inquirieswhichyouhadcausedtobemadeatFaverolles；
thestrengthofyourloins；theadventurewitholdFauchelevant；
yourskillinmarksmanship；yourleg，whichyoudragalittle；——
Ihardlyknowwhatall，——absurdities！But，atallevents，ItookyouforacertainJeanValjean。"
"Acertain——Whatdidyousaythenamewas？"
"JeanValjean。HewasaconvictwhomIwasinthehabitofseeingtwentyyearsago，whenIwasadjutant—guardofconvictsatToulon。
Onleavingthegalleys，thisJeanValjean，asitappears，robbedabishop；
thenhecommittedanothertheft，accompaniedwithviolence，onapublichighwayonthepersonofalittleSavoyard。Hedisappearedeightyearsago，nooneknowshow，andhehasbeensought，Ifancied。
Inshort，Ididthisthing！Wrathimpelledme；IdenouncedyouatthePrefecture！"
M。Madeleine，whohadtakenupthedocketagainseveralmomentsbeforethis，resumedwithanairofperfectindifference:——
"Andwhatreplydidyoureceive？"
"ThatIwasmad。"
"Well？"
"Well，theywereright。"
"Itisluckythatyourecognizethefact。"
"Iamforcedtodoso，sincetherealJeanValjeanhasbeenfound。"
ThesheetofpaperwhichM。Madeleinewasholdingdroppedfromhishand；heraisedhishead，gazedfixedlyatJavert，andsaidwithhisindescribableaccent:——
"Ah！"
Javertcontinued:——
"Thisisthewayitis，Mr。Mayor。ItseemsthattherewasintheneighborhoodnearAilly—le—Haut—ClocheranoldfellowwhowascalledFatherChampmathieu。Hewasaverywretchedcreature。
Noonepaidanyattentiontohim。Nooneknowswhatsuchpeoplesubsiston。Lately，lastautumn，FatherChampmathieuwasarrestedforthetheftofsomeciderapplesfrom——Well，nomatter，athefthadbeencommitted，awallscaled，branchesoftreesbroken。
MyChampmathieuwasarrested。Hestillhadthebranchofapple—treeinhishand。Thescampislockedup。Uptothispointitwasmerelyanaffairofamisdemeanor。ButhereiswhereProvidenceintervened。
"Thejailbeinginabadcondition，theexaminingmagistratefindsitconvenienttotransferChampmathieutoArras，wherethedepartmentalprisonissituated。InthisprisonatArrasthereisanex—convictnamedBrevet，whoisdetainedforIknownotwhat，andwhohasbeenappointedturnkeyofthehouse，becauseofgoodbehavior。
Mr。Mayor，nosoonerhadChampmathieuarrivedthanBrevetexclaims:
`Eh！Why，Iknowthatman！Heisafagot！[4]Takeagoodlookatme，mygoodman！YouareJeanValjean！’`JeanValjean！who’sJeanValjean？’
Champmathieufeignsastonishment。`Don’tplaytheinnocentdodge，’
saysBrevet。`YouareJeanValjean！YouhavebeeninthegalleysofToulon；itwastwentyyearsago；weweretheretogether。’
Champmathieudeniesit。Parbleu！Youunderstand。Thecaseisinvestigated。Thethingwaswellventilatedforme。Thisiswhattheydiscovered:ThisChampmathieuhadbeen，thirtyyearsago，apruneroftreesinvariouslocalities，notablyatFaverolles。
Therealltraceofhimwaslost。AlongtimeafterwardshewasseenagaininAuvergne；theninParis，whereheissaidtohavebeenawheelwright，andtohavehadadaughter，whowasalaundress；
butthathasnotbeenproved。Now，beforegoingtothegalleysfortheft，whatwasJeanValjean？Apruneroftrees。Where？AtFaverolles。
Anotherfact。ThisValjean’sChristiannamewasJean，andhismother’ssurnamewasMathieu。Whatmorenaturaltosupposethanthat，onemergingfromthegalleys，heshouldhavetakenhismother’snameforthepurposeofconcealinghimself，andhavecalledhimselfJeanMathieu？HegoestoAuvergne。ThelocalpronunciationturnsJeanintoChan——heiscalledChanMathieu。Ourmanoffersnoopposition，andbeholdhimtransformedintoChampmathieu。Youfollowme，doyounot？InquiriesweremadeatFaverolles。ThefamilyofJeanValjeanisnolongerthere。Itisnotknownwheretheyhavegone。
Youknowthatamongthoseclassesafamilyoftendisappears。
Searchwasmade，andnothingwasfound。Whensuchpeoplearenotmud，theyaredust。Andthen，asthebeginningofthestorydatesthirtyyearsback，thereisnolongeranyoneatFaverolleswhoknewJeanValjean。InquiriesweremadeatToulon。BesidesBrevet，thereareonlytwoconvictsinexistencewhohaveseenJeanValjean；
theyareCochepailleandChenildieu，andaresentencedforlife。
TheyaretakenfromthegalleysandconfrontedwiththepretendedChampmathieu。Theydonothesitate；heisJeanValjeanforthemaswellasforBrevet。Thesameage，——heisfifty—four，——
thesameheight，thesameair，thesameman；inshort，itishe。
ItwaspreciselyatthismomentthatIforwardedmydenunciationtothePrefectureinParis。IwastoldthatIhadlostmyreason，andthatJeanValjeanisatArras，inthepoweroftheauthorities。